Acts: 4: 23-31

                                                           Praying Bold

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could? Did you ever impulsively grab a child just before he ran into the street or jump between two people when one was about to attack the other in some way? In these types of situations, it doesn't take a great deal of forethought, it happens because it is supposed to. The courage jumps into us swiftly and takes control.

I remember the last day of  my sophomore year in high school. I was very quiet and rather insecure. All of the students had to turn in their books, locks, etc., so it was an unstructured situation with many students hanging around, talking, and waiting for their friends. I was walking down a long corridor alone, when up ahead I watched as a group of “tough” girls grabbed hold of a student and were attempting to drag her outside. I recognized the girl as Ginger. She was somewhat heavy set, and was seldom seen in the school hallways because she had a cognitive disability. Ginger was obviously scared to death, as this gang of rough teens had hold of her on all sides. Without even thinking, I ran ahead and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Let her go!” I stepped into their arena as Ginger was attempting to grab on to the door frame. The girls let go of Ginger and she hurried off in a panic. They then grabbed hold of me and suddenly I became their target. I survived the ordeal, but have often thought about where that courage came from. There were about seven or eight of them and one of me. I knew Ginger would be of no help, and I had no intention of getting into a street fight, but when I saw her being brutalized by her peers I didn't think for a second about walking by. It was something that simply had to be done.

I believe this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to: Being Bold!

Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were speaking about Jesus.  They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission. They prayed; “……now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us. Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but it is amazing what can come forth from within even the small and meek,  when the Spirit is near and we are open to it. In 2 Corinthians the Lord states, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Be bold for God.

Listen to/Read Acts 4: 23-31